Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Brian Medlin, and Deputies Joe Cherry, John Rogers and Larry Branch, along with New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. M. Fike, Deputy J. Maroldt and Deputy J. Spivey were cleared to return back to work last week, the sheriffs said.

The Leland police officer involved with the shooting, Anthony Bernard, was still on leave Monday pending the outcome of a town investigation, said Town Manager David Hollis.

According to Emily Flax, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, the men were seen tossing items from the SUV before attempting to flee the checkpoint by driving at officers.

Law enforcement opened fire on the SUV at the checkpoint, and then when the SUV fled after one of its occupants fell out at the checkpoint, law enforcement again opened fire on the SUV on U.S. 17 following a short chase.

Both Melvin and Graham were shot several times and were treated at the hospital before being booked into the Brunswick County jail.

Graham is charged with 10 counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, 10 counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, one count of flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, one count of felony conspiracy to flee, one count of possession of marijuana up to 1/2 ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melvin is charged with eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official and one count of felony conspiracy to elude.

Ingram said officers recovered drugs and a weapon believed to have been thrown from the SUV at the checkpoint.

The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation was called in to conduct an independent review of the shooting. The SBI did not immediately return messages seeking comment on Monday.

<p>Seven of eight law enforcement officers from three area departments returned to work last week after being placed on paid leave pending internal investigations into a checkpoint shooting June 14. </p><p>On Monday, Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram and <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9932"><b>New Hanover County Sheriff</b></a> <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic79"><b>Ed McMahon</b></a> said their departments' separate internal investigations found the shooting at the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9971"><b>Leland</b></a> checkpoint justified.</p><p>Brunswick County Sheriff's Office Cpl. Brian Medlin, and Deputies Joe Cherry, John Rogers and Larry Branch, along with New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Sgt. M. Fike, Deputy J. Maroldt and Deputy J. Spivey were cleared to return back to work last week, the sheriffs said. </p><p>The Leland police officer involved with the shooting, Anthony Bernard, was still on leave Monday pending the outcome of a town investigation, said Town Manager David Hollis. </p><p>On June 14, officers opened fire on a Lincoln Navigator containing Antoine Levar Graham, 34, of Mimosa Trail, and Jerry Onasis Melvin, 42, of Isabelle Trail, officials said. </p><p>According to Emily Flax, Brunswick County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, the men were seen tossing items from the SUV before attempting to flee the checkpoint by driving at officers. </p><p>Law enforcement opened fire on the SUV at the checkpoint, and then when the SUV fled after one of its occupants fell out at the checkpoint, law enforcement again opened fire on the SUV on U.S. 17 following a short chase. </p><p>Both Melvin and Graham were shot several times and were treated at the hospital before being booked into the Brunswick County jail. </p><p>Graham is charged with 10 counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, 10 counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, one count of flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle, one count of felony conspiracy to flee, one count of possession of marijuana up to 1/2 ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia. </p><p>Melvin is charged with eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official and one count of felony conspiracy to elude. </p><p>Ingram said officers recovered drugs and a weapon believed to have been thrown from the SUV at the checkpoint. </p><p>The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation was called in to conduct an independent review of the shooting. The SBI did not immediately return messages seeking comment on Monday. </p><p><i></p><p>F.T. Norton: 343-2070</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @FTNorton</i></p>